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NEWS & EVENTS

PARENTS

SCHOOL CALENDAR

ANNOUNCEMENTS

GUIDANCE

1 0 0 0 N e w W e s t m i n i s t e r D r , T h o r n h i l l , O N , L 4 J 8 G 3 Attendance: 905.882.0277 x 238

Principal: Sheri Epstein

Vice-Principal: Barb Caravella

Vice-Principal: Todd Taylor

Westmount CI

Westmount CI Speeding through Fall With the return of albeit early winter weather, we suddenly realize that the semester is already more than half over. It's been a very busy couple of weeks here at WCI, and students and teachers have been engaged in a variety of different activities and experiences. On Monday, WCI welcomed a Canadian Forces Veteran who had served in both Kabul and Kandahar, Afghani-stan, as part of our Remembrance Day assembly. He shared many stories about his time on active service, and shared his five take aways from his time in the service (including Kids are Kids Everywhere, and Stay in School because you never know when you'll need what you learn). Additionally, students our Music, Visual Arts, Dance and History departments all worked together to present a truly moving assembly. Special thanks to Ms. Akler and Mr. Dolha for their continued leadership in helping WCI to remember. Last Thursday, WCI hosted our annual "Pops Concert" for students in the open music program. Performing a variety of hits, that spanned movie classics to sports anthem to pop-culture hits, the student performances were amazing. The Westmount singers performed moving versions of both Seasons of Love (from Rent) and Royals (by Lorde). Congratulations to Mr. Nixon and all the students involved. On Tuesday evening, WCI hosted our annual Grade 8 Parent's Night, for the incoming class of 2024 (!!). Over 250 parents and future students attended to hear about life at WCI and what to expect during the transition be-tween Grade 8 and Grade 9. Additionally, the various departments here at WCI hosted information tables to ex-plain some of the concepts that seem foreign, until they become part of your every day life (i.e. the difference between Applied and Academic courses). Thanks to all the teaching staff and student ambassadors who helped to make the evening such a success. Over the next couple of weeks, Guidance will be hosting drop-in sessions for students looking to either drop a course (for this semester) or make changes to their timetables for Semester 2. We are happy to report that all students now have a complete timetable for Semester 2 and thank you for your patience. Please note however that space in Semester 2 classes is very limited and most requests for course changes will likely be impossible. Mid-term report cards will be distributed next week. Please keep an eye out for them, so they don't even up tucked into the bottom of a school bag (or worse). Yesterday afternoon, students from our Equity Committee, along with our Student Ambassadors, participated in an Equity Town Hall and shared their experiences within our walls. Students engaged in a number of different ways to provide feedback to the Administration (and specificially the school's School Improvement Plan Commit-tee) which highlight what it's like to be a student here in 2019. We'd like to thank all the students who attended for their truthful and honest comments. As a follow up to the email that we sent earlier this week, there has been information circulated on social media regarding at "WCI Semi" hosted at a venue in mid-town Toronto, on the same night that WCI school dance will be held. Again, this event is not affiliated with the school in anyway. Should you wish to seek a refund, please contact the venue directly, or your credit card company. Details about the real school dance will be shared via our official social media channels, as well as here, in our parent newsletter. Today, WCI Teaching staff was involved in a variety of professional learning activities, including examining the role of Ethical Leadership, looking at demographic data (to identify changes/trends within the WCI community) and unpacking the Director's Annual Plan. In the afternoon, our staff continued their work on this year's 3I's pro-ject (which ask staff to Ideate, Implement and Identify a change to their practice, to better support students) and worked in their respective departments. A note of thanks to all staff who participated and led the learning today! As a reminder, please be sure to follow @YRDSB (the Board's official Twitter handle) for the most up-to-date information regarding everything YRDSB related, including information about the new Inclement Weather Policy and any updates about labour issues. Stay tuned for our next bulletin in a couple of weeks, for even more good news about what's going on here at WCI. Should you have any questions, please reach out to a member of the Admin Team.

Westmount CI Monday, November 18 SHSM—Friends of Simon Weisenthal—Levy Drama workshop—Library—Lambert, Wheatley Tuesday, November 19 Swim Team—Velore Village—Gorewicz, Harte Science Biology—University of Guelph—Soon Shiong, Phone, Paulin Thursday, November 21 Jewish Studies—Lipa Green Building—Akler, Tobias Stop the Bleed—Sunnybrook Hospital—Taylor Drama Workshop—Second City—Lambert Wednesday, November 26 Business trip—Paramount Fine Foods Centre—Coates

DECA REGIONAL COMPETITIONS

Westmount DECA did very well at the York Regionals competition held on Saturday, November 2nd. Participants competed in their marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, hospitality and management categories, against all other high schools within York Region. Westmount did very well, securing over 40 top 10 awards! Those that qualified in this round of competitions move on to the Provincial competitions held in February at the Sheraton Centre, downtown Toronto.

Westmount CI DD Class at the Royal Agricultural Fair

On November 6, our Community Class along with other classes visited the Royal Winter Fair. It was a long bus ride downtown but it was worth it. Students enjoyed the birds of prey show, cheered for the super dogs competing in different categories, saw sculptures be made out of butter, watched chickens lay eggs, looked at cows and horses, and pet the baby goats and llamas in the petting corner. Everyone had such a great time!

Westmount CI Acknowledging the growing issue of vaping in our schools and the health risks associated with e-cigarettes and vaping, the YRDSB has developed the Substance Misuse Webinar: Vaping in col-laboration with York Region Public Health. By the end of this webinar, you’ll have learned valuable information about: e-cigarettes, also known as vapes e-juice and what it is made of the safety concerns associated with vaping how to discuss this substance with children. Due to the sensitive nature of these topics, if you or someone you know requires assistance, please remember that the following supports are available: York Support Services Network (1-855-310-COPE) Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) This is an addition to the Substance Misuse Webinar Series, created by YRDSB with our commu-nity partners. In this series, you can learn about: York Region Public Health: Alcohol and Cannabis, 6 Tips for Families/Staff Addictions Services of York Region: Opioids and Prescription Drugs, YRDSB Drug and Alcohol

Continuum YouthSpeak: Lived Experience of Former Substance Misusers and Impacted Family Members York Regional Police: Reporting Issues of Substance Misuse and the Criminal Impact of Sub-

stance Misuse, including Post-Legalization of Cannabis For more details on what you can do to prevent student substance misuse, please visit the YRDSB’s Caring and Safe Schools website and Vaping and E-Cigarettes subpage for resources to continue the conversation.

We hope that you have a wonderful weekend and thank you for supporting our safe, positive and inclusive school community.

Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team

Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team Meeting will take place on Wed. Nov. 20th at 3:25 pm Please meet in room 107 if interested in joining the Team. Skiing and Snowboarding experience required. Questions can be directed to Ms. Jackson or Ms. Popiel in guidance.

Graduation Ceremony

Our graduation ceremony is June 25, 2020 at the Paradise Banquet Hall. Please purchase your son/daughter graduation cap and gown by going to “School Cash Online”. Our deadline this year is February 28, 2020.

Guidance Updates @WCIGuidance

Stay in the Loop All parents and guardians are invited to check out our guidance website and follow us on Twitter @WCIGUIDANCE

YOUR GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT Support and promote students’ well-being and continuous growth in three areas: personal (student) development, interpersonal development, and career development in order to help them develop resilience and realize their potential (success) as individuals and as valuable members of society.

-Ontario School Counsellors’ Association, 2015

UPCOMING EVENTS TO CONSIDER

Here are some events planned for you child that you should know about: Waterloo Aviation Program INFO Workshop

Monday, Nov. 18th 11:30 to 12:30 Guidance Office Student sign-up in Guidance to attend

Grade 9 Class Visits Tuesday, Nov. 19 and 20 Period 2 – HOMEROOM Guidance will do a “check-in” visit to all grade 9 homeroom classes

Senior Part-time Status Requests

Tuesday, Nov. 19 to Monday, Nov 25 Drop-in Times posted in Guidance FULL DISCLOSURE is Tuesday, Nov. 26

GRADUATION CEREMONY 2020 UPDATE! Our graduation ceremony is June 25, 2020 at the Paradise Banquet Hall. Please purchase your son/daughter graduation cap, gown and guest tickets by going to “School Cash On-Line”. Our deadline this year is February 28, 2020.

Guidance Updates @WCIGuidance

Stay in the Loop All parents and guardians are invited to check out our guidance website and follow us on Twitter @WCIGUIDANCE

NEED AN APPOINTMENT WITH A COUNSELLOR? Book an appointment. It’s really easy! Your child can drop by the Guidance office and Mrs. Pearlstein will book the next available appointment with their Counsellor. Mrs. Pearlstein will give your child a date and time for their appointment. Please tell your child to let Mrs. Pearlstein know if you will be attending the meeting so we can book extra time is necessary. Come to Guidance on the day and time of your appointment.

Have a quick question? Your child can do the following… Drop-in to see their Counsellor. We can answer a quick question on-the-spot Check-out the YRDSB, Westmount and Guidance website

https://sites.google.com/site/wciguidance/home Follow @WCIGuidance on Twitter. Get real-time notifications regarding news, events and more. You can even tweet or

direct message your question to us.

Westmount Welcomes Please join us in welcoming some new staff members to WCI: Abdel Eskan joins WCI as our new Head Caretaker. Abdel was most recently at 16th Avenue Public School, as Head Caretaker, and previously at Alexander Mackenzie High School. Ms. Alessia Direito joins our staff, as a long term supply, for Ms. Ivanovic.

“Hello Westmount! I’d love to start by saying how excited I am to be joining the school community as a Visual Art and ESL teacher. I completed by Bachelors in Fine Arts at York University specializing in painting and drawing. In the last three years, I have travelled to 28 countries around the world. This experience has provided me with a global understanding and greater knowledge in human diversity. I am aware of the varying experiences and social/emotional, cultural and economic backgrounds that a group of learners may bring to a classroom. This awareness solidifies my commitment to building relationships with students and having a greater understanding of their needs, to provide them with strategies and tools to reach their full potential. I am looking forward to working with you all!“ Ms. Patricia Vlahos joins our staff, as a long term supply, for Ms. Cotnareanu.

“Hi everyone, my name is Patricia Vlahos and I am so thrilled to be joining Westmount Collegiate institute’s teaching faculty. I am an English and Family Studies teacher, and I am currently teaching Grade 11 Intro to Sociology, Anthropology and Psychology, and Grade 12 Families in Canada. My goal is to support students’ learning by nurturing their diversity and incorporating culturally relative pedagogy to improve student achievement. I have lived in Thornhill for the majority of my life, and I am excited to take part in educating the adolescents of our community.“

November 2019

Dear Families,

As we go into the winter months, it is important that families are aware that there may be rare occasions when emergency weather events occur and we need to close all schools and Board locations.

Emergency winter weather Emergency closures will be considered when facilities may not be safe for students and staff members to attend school for the full day. This may include events that significantly limit school operations or access to the school site, or causes widespread, prolonged power failures or downed power lines.

In keeping with our current practice, we will continue to keep our schools open as much as possible. However, it is important that families have alternate childcare arrangements planned for the rare occasions when schools may be closed. Before and after care programs will also not operate if schools are closed.

Please take the time to make plans in the event of an emergency school closure.

School transportation cancellations School transportation (buses and taxis) may be cancelled due to extreme cold or inclement weather. If transportation is cancelled in the morning, it will also be cancelled for the afternoon. On these days, schools will remain open unless otherwise stated.

Families can use their best judgment to decide whether to send their children to school on inclement weather days. Students will not be penalized for missing school. For safety reasons, you are required to let the school know if your child will not be attending school that day.

Communication to families Decisions about school transportation and school closures will be made as early as possible and no later than 6:00 a.m.

We are introducing a new communications system that will send text messages to parents/guardians for emergency purposes only. This includes the rare event of a school closure. Parents/guardians will have the ability to opt-out of receiving text messages should they choose.

The Board will be testing this communications system on Tuesday, November 19. If the school has your cell phone number (documented as your cell and not your home phone number), you will receive a test text message. This message will also include the option to opt-out of this system. If you do not receive a text and wish to participate in the program, please ensure that your school has your cell phone number.

We will do our best to notify families in advance when we may be considering closing school and Board offices. Our priority continues to be the safety of our students, staff members and families. If you have any questions, please speak with your school principal.

Transportation cancellations or school closures will also continue to be communicated through: • Student Transportation Services website: www.schoolbuscity.com• Student Transportation Hotline: 1-877-330-3001• Board website and school websites• @YRDSB Twitter account• Radio and TV media outlets

For more information on severe weather days, please visit our website www.yrdsb.ca.

Sincerely,

Louise Sirisko Director of Education

Westmount CI

SCHOOL BUS CANCELLATION NOTICE

Please remember that if the school buses are cancelled in the morning, then they will NOT operate in the afternoon. Therefore, if you drive your children to school in the morning, you must also pick them up from school at 3:50 p.m. When buses are cancelled, it does not necessarily mean that schools are closed. Schools usually remain open with a modi-fied program. To find out whether or not the buses are cancelled, please check the following website: www.schoolbuscity.com or access the following radio or television stations:

Radio

CFRB 1010 AM CHUM 1050 AM CHUM 104.5 CHIN 1540 AM NEWS 680 AM CJEZ 97.3 CKDX 88.5 AM CHFI 98.1 FM CHIN 100.7 CBC 99.1 FM CKFM 99.9 FM Q107.1 FM

Television

CITY TV, CFTO TV, THE WEATHER CHANNEL

A bus cancellation message will also be available at 1-877-330-3001.

November 2019 MON TUE WED THU FRI

1

4 * Grad Photo by appointment

* Art Evening

5 * Grad Photo by appointment

* Holocaust Remembrance Assembly (P2-4)

6 * Grad Photo by appointment

* Take Your Kids to Work

7 * Grad Photo by appointment

* Term 2 begins

8 * Grad Photo by appointment

11 * Grad Photo by appointment

* Remembrance Day

12 * Grad Photo by appointment

* Grade 8 Info Night

13 * Grad Photo by appointment

14 * Grad Photo by appointment

15

PA DAY

18 * Grad Photo by appointment

19 * Gr. 9 Class Visits (P2)

20 * Gr. 9 Class Visits (P2)

21 22 * Spirit Day—Cozy Day

(sweats and PJs)

25 26 * Full Disclosure

27 * Wolf Pack Wednesday

28 29